VANCOUVER

TRAVEL IN VANCOUVER

Amazing restaurants, great beaches and good times – there’s so much to love about Vancouver Canada.

As one of the most diverse cities in all of Canada, discover what makes this city so great at its incredible museums. Start off at the Museum of Vancouver. Focusing on the civic history of Vancouver, discover some of the people and events that helped shape this amazing city.

If you’ve got a love for ancient and indigenous history, be blown away by the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology. With its life-size totems and massive collection of art and artefacts, learn about Vancouver’s First Nations peoples at this awesome museum.

Soak up some of Vancouver’s cultural offerings by visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery, or by participating in some of its incredible festivals. Explore the city streets in search of graffiti art at the Vancouver Mural Festival, or enjoy jazzy beats at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Feel the sea breeze brush your face as you breathe in the vibes of Vancouver Folk Music Festival, or chill out on one of the city’s many beaches.

If outdoor adventure is your thing, British Columbia’s got you covered. This Canadian State is known for its lush forests and beautiful vistas, and its major city is no exception. Explore the hiking trails of Stanley Park or do the Grouse Grind on Grouse Mountain.

Enjoy the best of Vancouver’s culinary scene on Granville Island. With its amazing restaurants and open-air markets, you’ll be all set for fresh produce and remarkable dining experiences. If you’re keen for more of a wild night out, catch the SkyTrain to Yaletown. This former warehouse district is now the place to go for the best bars and clubs in Vancouver.

With so many places to explore, you’ll never be stuck for what to do in Vancouver. Let Contiki be your guide to this amazing Canadian city.

THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER

Challenge the Grouse Grind

An icon of the city’s skyline, Grouse Mountain towers over the north of Vancouver. This mountain has been a popular outdoor adventure spot for years, especially during the winter months. Even when it’s not covered in snow and dominated by skiers and snowboarders, Grouse Mountain is an awesome place to go for a fun day out. If you’re looking to do a little exercise on your trip, challenge yourself by doing the mountain’s famous Grouse Grind. While it’s less than 3 kilometres long, the steep incline of this mountain trial makes it very difficult to complete. Often referred to as ‘Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,’ see if you’re good enough to complete this nature challenge.

Experience island life at Granville Island

This former industrial site is now one of Vancouver's best assets. Located in the middle of False Creek is Granville Island. What used to be covered in factories is now one of the coolest places to eat, drink and explore in Vancouver. Experience the best of this cool corner of the city by spending the day here. Start in the morning by exploring the Granville Island Public Market, where you’ll find fresh produce, food stalls and local crafts. If the weather is warm, rent a kayak and paddle your way around the marina, or spend some time at the Island’s free water park. After a few hours at Granville Island, you’ll understand why the locals love it so much.

Hike around Stanley Park

Nature lovers, this one’s for you. With almost 1000 acres of amazing parkland, get lost exploring Vancouver’s most-loved attraction, Stanley Park. Starting at the Vancouver convention centre and ending at Spanish Banks Beach, walk, cycle or jog around the park’s 32-kilometre-long walking path that hugs Vancouver's waterfront. If you’re keen to take outdoor adventure more seriously, hike or mountain bike through the dense forest of this awesome park. We recommend trying out South Creek Trail, which leads to the lily pad-covered Beaver Lake. Breathe in the fresh air and good vibes of Vancouver’s Stanley Park.

Bum out on the beach

One of the best things about Vancouver is its location. Hugging the Western Coast of Canada, the Vancouver Coastline is one of the city’s best assets. If you’re here in summer, do as the locals do and kick it on the beach. For good vibes and a good time, head straight to Kitsilano. Undoubtedly the city's most popular swim spot, Kitsilano is Vancouver’s equivalent to Venice Beach. Here you'll find locals in-line skating, playing volleyball and blasting music all day long. If you’re after something a little more chill, Spanish Banks Beach might be better for you. Located about 8 kilometres from Downtown Vancouver, it is a little further away than Kitsilano, but at least you won’t have to compete for a spot on the sand.

Go on a liquid diet in Yaletown

If you came to Vancouver to party, head straight to Yaletown. What was once Vancouver’s old warehouse district is now home to the city’s best restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Often compared to New York City’s SoHo district, Yaletown is the place to go to get a taste for the Vancouver nightlife. Our picks for where to go? Start your night with a pint or two at Yaletown Brewing Co., where you can sample some of the city’s boutique beers. Next, turn up the intensity at Pierre's Lounge and Bar None. Located in Downtown Vancouver, get to Yaletown by train or SkyTrain, because you definitely don’t want to have to drive home after a night out here.

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TOP 5 FESTIVALS IN VANCOUVER

When it comes to parties and celebrations, Vancouver knows how to have a good time. Showcasing the best local and international artists, check out some of the city’s best festivals. From attending jazz concerts to searching for public art murals, here are our picks for our favourite festivals in Vancouver.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival – Music

Happening for 12 days from the end of June to early July, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival is a celebration of this unique music genre. Featuring headliners like Erykah Badu and Tony Bennett, this music festival showcases some of the best jazz musicians in the world. Be sure to book tickets online to attend its concerts and performances.

Vancouver Mural Festival – Art

The city’s biggest public art event, the Vancouver Mural Festival sees some of the best Canadian and International artists create artworks all over the city. Held over one massive week in August, download your festival map online to find where to head to check out these awesome artworks.

Vancouver International Film Festival – Film

Celebrating some of the best filmmakers in the world, Vancouver International Film Festival happens for two weeks between late September and early October. With a program that features seminars, discussions with directors, and of course, screenings all over the city, secure your tickets online to attend this massive film festival.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival - Music

Held for three days over a weekend in July, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is one of the city’s best summer festivals. Held in Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, this multi-stage outdoor festival showcases indie and folk musicians from Canada and abroad.

Music Waste – Music, Art & Comedy

Check out the best of the city’s music, art and comedy scenes at the Music Waste Festival. Held over four days in June, this annual festival takes place at multiple venues across the city. Check out its program online to buy tickets to its music concerts, as well as its comedy and art performances.

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TOP 5 MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES IN VANCOUVER

Check out the best of the city’s music, art and comedy scenes at the Music Waste Festival. Held over four days in June, this annual festival takes place at multiple venues across the city. Check out its program online to buy tickets to its music concerts, as well as its comedy and art performances.

Science World

Housed in a disco ball building on the harbour, Vancouver’s Science World is just as much fun as it seems. Dedicated to making science and technology fun, it’s hard not to have a good time mucking around with its interactive exhibits. Learn about everything from physics to mining engineering at the Vancouver Science World.

Museum of Vancouver

Focusing on the civic history of Vancouver, the Museum of Vancouver tells the stories of the people and events that made this city great. As well as collections spanning ancient Egyptian, Asian and Indigenous Canadian cultures, make sure you check out the iconic grab sculpture out the front of this history museum.

Museum of Anthropology

If you see only visit one museum in Vancouver, make it this one. The University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology has an amazing collection of First Nations and Coast Salish artworks and artefacts. Featuring life-size totems and sculptures, learn about Vancouver’s indigenous peoples at this awesome museum.

Vancouver Art Gallery

Lovers of art, you won’t want to miss the Vancouver Art Gallery. Housed an iconic building in Downtown Vancouver, the Gallery’s collection includes everything from 19th century masters to cutting-edge digital artworks. With a focus on promoting the work of British Columbian artists, like Emily Carr, it’s easy to spend hours walking around this beautiful building.

H. R. MacMillan Space Centre

Sharing a building and an entrance hall with the Museum of Vancouver, the H. R. MacMillian Space Centre is another must-see in Vancouver. This science museum focuses on aerospace history and astronomy. With exhibits explaining the history of the Canadian space program and its own planetarium, learn about the stars at the H. R. MacMillian Space Centre.

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FOOD IN VANCOUVER

When it comes to eating in Vancouver, this cosmopolitan city delivers the goods. From Canadian staples like poutine and saskatoon pie, to more adventurous fusion foods like JapaDogs, there are so many amazing Vancouver food joints for you to try. Here are five of our favourites.

Poutine

The most iconic dish of Canadian cuisine, trying poutine is a must when you’re visiting Vancouver. This Quebecoise staple is made with hand-cut French fries that are doused in gravy and fresh cheese curds. Dig into a plate of poutine at La Belle Patate in Vancouver.

Best eaten at - La Belle Patate, 1215 Davie St, BC V6E 1N1

Bannock

When it comes to Canadian comfort food, bannock is one of the best. Made using flour, sugar, salt, yeast and water, this flat bread has its origins in the cuisine of Canada’s Indigenous peoples. What was once cooked on fire pits, bannock is more commonly oven-baked or pan-fried today.

Best eaten at - Salmon n’ Bannock 1128 W Broadway 7, BC V6H 1G5

Lobster rolls

As a city on the water, you’d expect Vancouver’s seafood to be top-notch. From wild salmon to shucked oysters. Vancouver doesn’t disappoint. Our favourite seafood snack? Head over to Joe Fortes’ for their lobster and shrimp roll. Mixed in a classic remoulade sauce, bits of lobster and shrimp are stuffed into a house-made bun. Delicious.

Saskatoon Pie

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, saskatoon pie will have you coming back for seconds. Celebrating dark, juicy saskatoon berries, natives of Canada, these purple berries are stuffed into a crispy pie crust. Served with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, pick up a slice from The Pie Shoppe in Vancouver.

Best eaten at - The Pie Shoppe, 1875 Powell St, BC V5L 1H8

JapaDog

You’ve probably heard of Steame, but you’ve never seen Canadian hotdogs like this. A Vancouver original, Japadog is one of the city’s favourite street vendors. Selling its staple beef sausage with seaweed flakes, teriyaki sauce, miso, wasabi and kimchi, JapaDog is the ultimate in fusion food.